The city of New London, Conn., moved heaven and earth and some very reluctant residents for a development project a few years ago.
Now, the company that inspired the proposed development, Pfizer, is moving out -- and nothing is left but barren land where homes once stood.
It's a fitting and sorrowful end to the infamous "Kelo" eminent domain case, in which homeowner Susette Kelo fought to keep her home. New London wanted to take her land and convert it to other private uses it thought would bring in more money in tax revenues.
It's a frightening concept -- that the government could seize your land against your will because someone else thinks he can make more money with it. Yet, in 2005 the U.S. Supreme Court shockingly voted 5-4 against Ms. Kelo -- and, essentially, in favor of allowing the government to forcibly take your land and provide it to another private entity that has more money and political clout.
The good news is that the horrible ruling changed the political landscape forever: Before the ruling, some eight states had laws against seizing private land for private developments; now, more than 40 states do.
Yet, the case ruined the landscape where Ms. Kelo's house once stood. Now, even the company that inspired the land grab is leaving it behind.
So it goes with ill-gotten gain.
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Heck, why look at New London. Didn't we do the same thing here in river city at a place called the Golf Hall of Fame?
Since 2005, the make up of the supreme court has changed. Once more, the constitution is law. Eminent domain should be interpreted by today's court.
First, I do not support the idea that governments should be able to take land through eminent domain for private development. But the Supreme Court was correct in saying that there is nothing in the U.S. Constitution prohibiting such taking. The takings merely have to compensate the person who owns the land. The Supreme Court also hinted that Congress could prohibit such takings through statute, and that state legislatures could also prohibit such takings. If I remember correctly, Georgia did pass a law (or perhaps a constitution amendment) prohibiting eminent domain for private development efforts in response to the Kelo decision.
This is what happens when the government decides it needs to get into the commercial real estate market. Big empty lots.
Politicians of both parties get pay offs by major corporations, so even though many on here cry that Democrats are Socialists, that is far from fact. They may disagree on many issues, but when it comes to taking money from big business to help them out, politicians from both major parties agree.
So sad, Ms. Kelo thought she lived in America. A real travesty.